Our process in 5 steps
How is a dissertation formatted?
Have you decided which services or products you like to request from us? If so, you’re probably wondering how things will proceed. We’d be happy to explain how the design process with your personal designer will works. This process can be broken down into 5 steps:
Preparation?
With us, you can start even before your dissertation is finished!
You can continue working on your dissertation while one of our personal designers gets to work for you. Your final manuscript won't be needed until later! However, that doesn't mean you can't make preparations. There are certainly steps you can already take.
For example, you would do well to gather some inspiration in advance. To do so, take a look at the examples on our website. You can also check if you still have all the Word files of your dissertation. This knowledge base article on submission specifications comes in handy in that case.
Step 1Intake
within 1 week
within 1 week After speaking with our coordinator, you will usually start working with your designer within a week.
As soon as you have submitted a request to us, our coordinator will contact you by phone or email for an initial meeting. During this meeting, you will discuss the schedule and your design preferences, and go through the design process together. After agreeing on the quotation, you will be matched with one of our designers. You will then conduct a comprehensive intake regarding the design of your dissertation.
- Our coordinator arranges your schedule with you and sends you the quote.
- We would love to hear your design preferences and wishes.
- You and your designer get to know each other.
What do we need from you?
- A draft version or chapter of your manuscript as a Word file
Step 2 Design proof
±1 week
±1 week It takes approximately a week from the intake to arrive at a perfect design proof together.
You can put the finishing touches on your manuscript while your designer gets to work on a layout proposal. As soon as this concept fully meets your expectations, you finalize it in the form of a design proof. You have three feedback rounds for this.
- You can continue working on your manuscript in peace.
- The designer sends you a number of proofs.
- Together, you determine the design style.
What do we need from you?
- Your feedback on the first design proofs
- Your final approval of the last proof
Final manuscript submission deadline
2 weeks before your thesis will be printed, your designer needs the definitive document If you miss this moment, additional costs may follow, and design options may become more limited.
Step 3 Interior
±2 weeks
±2 weeks The layout of your interior takes place in parallel with the layout of your cover. Together, this takes approximately 2 weeks.
Based on the finalized design proof, your designer will get to work on the layout of your entire interior! You will receive three rounds of revisions again, so that you can thoroughly check whether the content of your complete manuscript is effectively reflected in the design of the proof.
- Your graphic designer formats your entire manuscript
- You then check whether the content is formatted correctly.
- You have 3 rounds of corrections
What do we need from you?
- Your feedback on your formatted complete manuscript
- Your approval when this is completely correct
Step 4 Cover
±2 weeks
±2 weeks The layout of your cover runs parallel to the layout of your interior. Together, this takes approximately 2 weeks.
The cover is your thesis’s calling card and, as such, an essential part of the design. Don’t have a clear idea yet? No problem: following the initial consultation, your personal designer will develop an initial concept, allowing you to indicate early on what you do and don’t like. Once you’ve chosen a direction, the designer will develop this into a complete first draft. Through three rounds of revisions, there’s plenty of opportunity to provide feedback and perfect the cover. The cover illustration can also be placed on the chapter pages, so that the outside and inside of your thesis form a cohesive whole.
- Together, you develop a concept for your cover.
- You will work these out in three rounds of corrections.
What do we need from you?
- Your approval of a draft
- Your feedback on your designer's work
- Your final approval when the cover is finished
Step 5 Printing
±2 weeks
±2 weeks It takes two to three working days to produce a proof and deliver it to you. You then make any final corrections, and after that, it usually takes about 10 working days to print and deliver all the dissertations.
As soon as your designer has completed the layout, we send the files to the print shop and you receive one physical proof. After you have carefully checked this, you can adjust any final details you may have missed on screen together with your designer. After these final corrections and your approval, we give the go-ahead for the final production print. Thanks to your preparation and the efforts of your personal designer, you can count on a beautiful end result; then all that remains is the defense.
- We forward your files to the print company for a physical proof.
- You receive this for verification
- Next, the full print run of your dissertation begins.
What do we need from you?
- Your agreement to proceed to the proof
- Your assessment of the physical test
- One very last chord from you!
You now know how a dissertation is formatted!
Did we manage to convince you?
...or call us on 030 207 27 07
